Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to adequately address the Veteran's statements regarding worsening migraine headaches. A new VA examination is required to assess the current severity of his migraines.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that the criteria were met on October 16, 2014. The Veteran was granted service connection and a TDIU award at this time.

The Veteran's skull loss due to craniotomy is rated at 50 percent effective August 31, 1992.,Post-surgical headaches are rated at 30 percent from August 31, 1992 to March 24, 1998 and at maximum schedular rating of 50 percent thereafter.,Service connection for benign neoplasm of the left ear with vertigo is granted effective June 13, 2011.,Right ear hearing loss is awarded an effective date of December 5, 2012.,A separate noncompensable rating for a left iliac crest scar prior to June 13, 2011.,Service connection for a left iliac crest scar is granted with an effective date of June 13, 2011.,An increased 20 percent rating for painful and/or unstable scars of the left iliac crest and craniotomy is awarded from December 5, 2012.,The Veteran's motion for revision of the June 1993 rating decision on basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for severe headaches, currently claimed as migraines, is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, the Board has decided that additional development is needed before reaching a decision on the merits.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 0 percent, as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to infrequent attacks and lack of characteristic prostrating attacks.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cerebrovascular accident residuals.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, hypertension, and migraines were denied in the February 2015 rating decision. The claim for bilateral lower extremity neurological disability was also denied.,A petition to reopen the diabetes claim has been received, but the service connection is still denied.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for bipolar I disorder effective April 28, 2012. The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder results in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran has been unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 13, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that the Veteran's entitlement to TDIU for this period is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The rating for her headaches remains at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic leg pain and migraine headaches due to insufficient analysis in previous decisions. The case is being returned for further review, including consideration of functional impairment and medical opinions.

The Veteran's current migraine headaches did not begin in service and are not related to service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic lumbar spine disability and a chronic headache disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during service or were related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of residuals of head trauma, including TBI, headaches, sleep walking, and a psychiatric disorder, as well as schizophrenia, are being returned to the RO for further review.

The Board denied service connection for chronic migraine headaches, low back disability, and bilateral flatfeet and plantar fasciitis. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and chronic migraines, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The decision also finds that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected schizophrenic disorder with a depressive disorder not otherwise specified.

The Veteran's tension headaches are characterized by very frequent, completely prostrating, and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability prior to September 4, 2019. A 50% disability rating is granted.,Since September 4, 2019, the Veteran's right total knee arthroplasty has been characterized by chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion and weakness. A 60% disability rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to additional development being warranted.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for acquired mental health condition and migraine headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for service-connected tension headaches is being remanded due to the inability to schedule an examination.